My EdTech Life

AI Literacy Isn’t “One More Thing” ft. Lindy Hockenbary | My EdTech Life 350

In Episode 350 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Lindy Hockenbary (LindyHoc) [https://www.lindyhoc.com/], a K–12 EdTech advisor, strategist, and professional learning leader known for helping teachers make technology work for real learning. This conversation goes straight to the issues educators actually face, the “one more thing” overload, AI misconceptions, and how to move beyond AI detectors toward authentic assessments students can’t fake. Lindy [https://www.lindyhoc.com/] breaks down how AI literacy fits inside core instruction (not as a separate add-on), why we must redesign assessment to emphasize process over product, and how tools with guardrails + teacher dashboards change what “safe classroom AI use” can look like. You’ll also hear why Lindy’s [https://www.lindyhoc.com/] work is especially grounded in small and rural schools, where staffing, compliance review, and budget constraints make AI adoption harder, but also more urgent. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:05 Lindy Hockenbary's Educational Journey 04:57 The Impact of Technology on Education 09:19 Changing Mindsets in Education 11:00 Integrating AI into Core Curriculum 16:42 Redesigning Assessment in the Age of AI 23:37 Authenticity in Learning and AI Challenges 24:24 Misconceptions About AI in Education 25:52 AI Literacy and Compliance in Teaching 31:58 The Impact of ChatGPT on Educators 36:00 Challenges in Rural Education and AI Adoption 40:39 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Lindy’s website: https://www.lindyhoc.com/ [https://www.lindyhoc.com/] Make EdTech 100 podcast page: https://www.lindyhoc.com/podcast [https://www.lindyhoc.com/podcast] Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Eduaide.AI [https://www.eduaide.ai/], and Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife]

How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349

How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349 In Episode 349 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Eric Tao [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetaooferic/], Founder & CEO of Mega Minds [https://gomegaminds.com/], and Austin Levinson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-levinson-innovator/], veteran educator and learning designer, to unpack how immersive AI-powered simulations are reshaping Career and Technical Education (CTE). This conversation goes beyond AI hype. Eric [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetaooferic/] and Austin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-levinson-innovator/]explain why most AI tools in education focus on productivity instead of learning and how immersive environments can restore student engagement, agency, and real-world skill development. We explore how Mega Minds [https://gomegaminds.com/] uses AI characters, simulations, and 3D environments to help students practice CTE skills safely before entering real workplaces. From healthcare triage simulations to job interviews, retail scenarios, and construction environments, students are learning through experience, not worksheets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:30 Exploring MegaMinds [https://gomegaminds.com/]: An Overview 04:49 The Role of Engagement in Education 07:03 The Future of EdTech and AI in Learning 10:39 Data-Driven Insights for Teachers 13:45 The Importance of Student Agency 18:10 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning 20:38 Real-World Applications of MegaMinds 27:46 CTE Lessons and Immersive Experiences 33:05 Experiential Learning in Healthcare Education 38:32 The Role of AI in Education 42:39 Understanding AI Bias Through Immersive Learning 48:38 AI Literacy and Its Importance in Education 53:43 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Mega Minds Resources Mentioned in Episode MegaMinds Website [http://gomegaminds.com/] Free AI Literacy Pilot Info [https://gomegaminds.com/ai-literacy/] Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast], Eduaide.AI [https://www.eduaide.ai/], and Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife]

The Framework Every CTE Teacher Needs ft. Tisha Richmond | My EdTech Life 348

Career and Technical Education is often overlooked, misunderstood, or siloed. In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso Mendoza [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amendoza1381/] sits down with Tisha Richmond [https://www.tisharichmond.com/], veteran CTE educator and author of The Magical CTE Classroom [https://amzn.to/48Iy6SY], to unpack what meaningful, joyful, and real-world CTE learning actually looks like. Tisha shares her journey from the classroom to edtech and back again, why CTE teachers face unique challenges, and how intentional design can transform labs, kitchens, workshops, and hands-on learning spaces into powerful environments for creativity, collaboration, and career readiness. This conversation explores how CTE classrooms can move beyond compliance and certifications toward engagement, student agency, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for the real world of work. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to My EdTech Life 02:10 – Who Is Tisha Richmond 05:20 – From Industry to the CTE Classroom 08:45 – Why CTE Teachers Feel Siloed 12:30 – The Story Behind The Magical CTE Classroom 16:10 – The MAGICAL Framework Explained 21:40 – Gamifying Vocabulary in CTE 26:30 – Safety, Structure, and Lab-Based Learning 31:20 – Industry Certifications and Real-World Skills 36:10 – Teaching Employability Through Play 41:10 – Challenges Facing CTE Educators Today 45:30 – Where to Find Tisha’s Work 48:00 – Final Thoughts and Stay Techie Connect with Tisha Richmond: Website: tisharichmond.com [https://www.tisharichmond.com/] LinkedIn: Tisha Richmond [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tishrich/] Instagram: @tisharichmond [https://www.instagram.com/makelearningmagical/] About the Host: Dr. Alfonso Mendoza [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amendoza1381/] is the host of My EdTech Life, a podcast amplifying educator voices and exploring how technology, creativity, and intentional design shape learning experiences. 👉 Subscribe for conversations that move beyond buzzwords and focus on what actually works in classrooms. Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife]

The Mission Behind Day of AI ft. Jeff Riley | My EdTech Life 347

In this episode of My EdTech Life, Jeff Riley breaks down the mission behind Day of AI and the work of MIT RAISE to help schools, districts, families, and students understand artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and with purpose. Jeff brings 32 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, principal, superintendent, and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education. His transition to MIT RAISE reveals why AI literacy, student safety, and clear policy matter more than ever. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts 01:45 Jeff Riley’s Background in Education 04:00 Why MIT RAISE and Day of AI 06:00 The Challenge: AI Policy, Safety & Equity 08:30 How AI Can Transform Teaching & Learning 10:30 Differentiation, Accessibility & Student Support 12:30 Helping Teachers Feel Confident Using AI 15:00 Leading AI Adoption at the District Level 18:00 What AI Literacy Should Mean for Students 20:00 Teaching Healthy Skepticism & Bias Awareness 23:00 Student Voice in AI Policy 26:00 Parent Awareness & Common Sense Media Toolkit 29:00 Responsible AI for America’s Youth 31:00 America’s Youth AI Festival & Student Leadership 34:30 National Vision for AI in Education 37:00 Closing Thoughts + 3 Signature Questions 41:00 Stay Techie Resources Mentioned Day of AI Curriculum: https://dayofai.org [https://dayofai.org] MIT RAISE: https://raise.mit.edu [https://raise.mit.edu] Sponsors 📚 Book Creator [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] 🤖 Eduaide [https://www.eduaide.ai/] 🎓 Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife]

How Relief Roster Fixes Substitute Chaos ft. Kyle Sumrow | My EdTech Life 346

Today on My EdTech Life, I sit down with Kyle Sumrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-sumrow-869516183/], educator, developer, and Director of Outreach and Development at Tech My School, to break down Relief Roster [https://reliefroster.com/], a powerful substitute management and volunteer coordination system designed to streamline the entire sub process for schools. Kyle shares how Relief Roster [https://reliefroster.com/] solves the daily scramble schools face with substitutes, onboarding, scheduling, PTO tracking, and volunteer management. We unpack how customizable schedules, skill-based sub assignments, integrated communications, and equity-based pricing make this tool a real solution for under-resourced schools and large districts alike. If you're looking for smarter ways to manage substitutes, automate absence tracking, improve communication, and bring more efficiency to your campus or district, this episode is packed with practical insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup 02:09 Kyle's Background and Journey in Education 05:00 The Birth of Relief Roster 08:21 Customizability and User Experience of Relief Roster 11:13 Analytics and HR Integration 14:19 Volunteer Management and Onboarding Process 17:25 Demonstration of Relief Roster Features 33:58 Navigating Absence Management 40:26 Customizing Substitute Requests 43:16 Optimizing Substitute Utilization 48:45 Volunteer Management Integration 54:59 Data-Driven Decision Making 01:00:29 Equity-Based Pricing in Education Technology Sponsors 📚 Book Creator [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] 🤖 Eduaide [https://www.eduaide.ai/] 📊 Yellowdig [https://yellowdig.co/] 🎓 Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] Thank you for supporting My EdTech Life and helping bring meaningful conversations to educators everywhere. Peel Back Education [https://www.peelbackeducation.com/] exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. [https://bookcreator.com/?utm_campaign=4566333-H1%202025%20Be%20an%20Author%20Month&utm_source=myedtechlife&utm_medium=podcast] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife]